Union Construction Academy of Maine Launches Ironworkers Pre-Apprenticeship

Over the past year, the Union Construction Academy has responded to requests from our pre-apprentices and Building and Construction Trades Locals to offer more trade-specific training sessions, in addition to our four-week multi-trades programs. In the spring of 2026, we offered a two-week training program for carpenters, in collaboration with Carpenters Local 349. Graduates of that program had tremendous success, with four of the six participants moving directly into the Carpenters apprenticeship and working over the summer. Building on the success of that model, we offered a two-week intensive welding training program in collaboration with Ironworkers Local 7 in Clinton in August.

The nine participants came from all over central Maine, from Milo to Cornville to Lisbon. They ranged in age and experience coming into the program, but they were united by a drive to learn a key skill and enter a strong union career. Under the expert guidance of our lead instructor, Jason Scholten, who is a retired Boilermaker from Local 29 and a welding instructor at Tri-County Technical Center, the students received individualized instruction while practicing welding skills and positions that they will need in careers as union ironworkers, shipbuilders, and pipefitters.

They met every day from 9-3 pm, and developed skills and endurance while working through the sweltering August heat. In addition to building their competence in welding with different positions and techniques, the participants also learned about the benefits of union membership, expectations for job sites, and the meaning of solidarity and the history of the Labor Movement. At the end of the program, many of the participants decided to submit applications to the Ironworkers apprenticeship program starting this fall.

Four of the graduates have already paid their initiation fees and will be beginning apprenticeship classes on September 12. Others are continuing to apply for positions with BIW, the Plumbers and Pipefitters, and Cives Steel as they seek out the right fit for their skillsets and their family schedules. All of them spoke highly of the quality of the instruction they received from Jason, and the benefits of the program.

Jeremy Holt of Clinton said that “the program offered a great opportunity to translate the skills, drive, and work ethic I already possess into a real career with a bright future. I applied thinking I might be too old or that past mistakes might disqualify me, but all that mattered was my willingness to learn, show up every day, and carry myself with dignity.”

Speaking about what he gained from the pre-apprenticeship, Brandon Yestramski, of Milo, Maine, explained “I am a visual learner and Jason picked up on that immediately. It really helped me realize that I have found something I truly love and want to do the rest of my life (this coming from a 34-year-old).” Speaking about his experience with the program, Soren Dickinson said, “I have struggled in the past to find out how to get into union trades, and the pre-apprenticeship really made it easy. I may not look that impressive on paper, but when I’m given a task and people to work with it gives me a chance to prove myself.”

For the team involved in pulling Union Construction Academy’s Ironworkers session together, the experience of watching pre-apprentices take an opportunity like this one and run with it is deeply rewarding. Grant Provost, organizer and Business Agent for Ironworkers Local 7, is excited to bring the recent graduates into their apprenticeship program this fall and to send them out to work.

“It’s great to have a chance to meet people and work with them in pre-apprenticeship, so you know about their skills and work ethic when they apply.”

In the year ahead, we are excited to build on the success of this program and the Carpenters’ session, while continuing to collaborate with other trades to expand our offerings and the range of opportunities available to career seekers.